Analizing this year, and the rest of last one, I think, the
logical conclusion could be made, that we have the raising game
makers' activity. Though, there are not so many games, that are
worth of long time playing, anyway, most of it can leave the
ordinary crap game competitions entries far behind in it's
quality. One of the reasons, as I reckon, is the activity of
Perspective Group - the 'Your Game' contest, the beginning of
game projects distribution, that, I hope, will continue, and of
course, 'Abzac', that directly reveal the field of interests of
its creators.
We took a little interview with Alex Xor, that shows his
attitude to the current situation and the following development
of game 'industry' on Speccy.
elfh> During last few years you pay a lot of efforts to resurrection
of game making from depression since the end of 90-ies. What
leads you and what is the highest purport of your activity?
axor> The main impulse was the fact that there were no good games
made during last years. The demo competitions became boring for
me. So, I decided to make a game competition, the event that
had never been before on Spectrum. There are few purposes for
this contest, as for me, the main are the following:
1. To attract groups/people that can make good games for
Spectrum;
2. To attract consumers, new gamers seldom pay attention to
Spectrum and it is very baneful for our platform. I'm sure,
that new games are able to attract the young generation. I
think it's not a big secret, that it's almost impossible to do
it in big cities, but in province, where clubs and hobby groups
still exist, this method can help. That's why I hope, that our
contest will yield its fruits. However, we rely on contest
participants!
elfh> Are you happy with the last year's results? What can we expect
this year?
axor> I was quite pleased with last year's results. There were many
games, with good quality, moreover, this contest was the first
one for the most of competitors. What can we expect this time I
don't even know. I was informed by many people about their
participation, but still (27.10.2003) we have a very slow
movement in this direction, so I'm very worried about the
contest. And I was surprized with 6 games presented at
CAFe'2003 this year. I don't know why people decided not to
take part in 'Your Game'.
elfh> As for me, the quality of games presented there was higher than
those from 'Your Game' - what do you think about it?
axor> I don't know. Probably, the last year's "Your Game' games
pushed authors forward to creating better games. Anyway, I
don't really know.
elfh> The realization of 'Imperia 2' in the way that it was done by
you became something totally new on Spectrum at this time. What
was the reaction of users? Will you keep on creating such
products?
axor> Yes, it was a new approach. I think, here in Russia we had
nothing like that before. But not so much people wish to buy
this game with all that stuff from the package. Will I make
something else of that kind? I shall if anybody able to make
games, music and novels will support me.
elfh> 'Imperia 2' was made only for machines with at least 256kb of
memory. You think this is the only possible direction in
development of game making?
axor> Of course not! By the way, the game itself let me down. Many
users were upset because it work only on 256kb, moreover, using
Scorpion and Pentagon 512 standart. I won't do like this
anymore. I think, that there is a long time ago used standart
for good Spectrum games - 128kb, that's enough, 'Black Raven',
I guess, is a good evidence.
elfh> What is the most important aspect in this case: gamer or the
game itself? In other words, will Imperia initiate the
appearance of large amount of machines with extended memory?
axor> I think, if someone had the purport of increasing the quantity
of such machines, then the games like Imperia 2 should have
appeared 8-10 years ago.
elfh> Is Imperia protected? I admit, the appearance of new games will
bring the revival of crack scene. What is your attitude to
this?
axor> I'll keep the secret about protection. What's about crack scene
- I suppose, it's already history. There's nobody left. Those,
who still can make something understand the value of a new
software, and I believe, they won't harm. The time has changed,
you have to pay if you want something to appear. Though it was
actual long time ago. If situation with coders' fees would have
been regulated in the past, now it could have been not so
catastrophic. And I'm very displeased with crack scene! I still
can't forgive that asshole, who cracked the past year's 'Your
Game' release and put it in internet.
elfh> Do you play games much? Do you solve games, that take part in
the contest?
axor> I seldom play. I have no time, anyway, I prefer to make
something by myself than just play. Honestly, I haven't
completed any game from last year contest, even mine. I played
it enough while developing.
elfh> It is well-known, that today there is an uprising interest to
retro-gaming in Europe. Have you any plans for your appearance
on the international stage?
axor> Not yet. Can somebody give an advice how to do it?
elfh> I see the solution of this problem in the following: creation
of a english/russian languages site with all appropriate
information for developers and potential customers. The games,
subjected to distribution, must be comprehensible to english
speaking customers and russians. The problem with formats
(trd/tap) arise, but it can be solved. Our gamers aren't used
to pay for games, while it is the common thing in Europe. Of
course, the bet must be done on the release appearance and
design, as it was done with Imperia 2 - no crack can provide
such feelings that it's possible to gain having an original
release. What do you think?
axor> I agree, that this our trick with Imperia 2 is something new,
comparing with all other game releases made on Spectrum in
Russia. But we have to settle down all affairs with our
(russian) gamer before presenting such products to the European
audience. Moreover, this game release let us down, cos it has
some bugs. I hope, there will be no more such rush releases.
elfh> How wide 'Abzac' is spread? What is its circulation? What can
you say about the tendencies in development - does the readers
amount increase?
axor> We have a large range - Russia, Ukrane, Belarus, Poland. The
edition is still at the point of 100 copies. The circle of
readers is almost constant, some of them leave, some of them
are just starting reading us, and that's good. Now my question
- why 'Adventurer' crew don't buy 'Abzac'?
elfh> I've got some issues and I haven't read them completely cos I
understood - it's not mine. We just have a different point of
view and different interests, what can be seen in the last
issue of 'Adventurer'. Though it doesn't decrease the value of
'Abzac'. Maybe some final words to the readers?
axor> I hope it won't be censored? Anyway, I shall speak to you. I
wish you just one thing - to get back where you came from, the
place you occupied during last years. Now, by the readers'
replies, I've made a conclusion that people begin to like you
less. And that's bad. Your attempt to unite our scene with the
rest has failed, at the same time it caused a split here. I
suppose, at first, we have to make everything alright here, and
only then to show it to the rest of scene. I know, that time
change us, but people like us for our past, not for our
present. Try do not to lose the reader and correspondents and
then everything will be fine! Have a good luck.
elfh> Yes, I know that last issue has distressed many people, but we
are not gonna stop our evolution (involution?). I wish you luck
in those affairs that we have practically left...
